Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kirsten Agresta-Copely. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kirsten thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2021, my husband Marc and I returned to New York City after spending seven years in Nashville, where my elderly Mother also lived. It was a painstaking decision, knowing we were leaving her behind in rapidly declining health. Mom and I would reminisce during her last months about our long walks on the beach, picking up shells, and chatting about life and love by the water. As Miss Michigan in 1958, she cut the ribbon and dedicated the Mackinac Bridge, a proud memory that she would retell in great detail. Some of our best times together were spent near blue spaces ~ lakes, rivers, the ocean. That has always provided an unspoken calmness and connection that I cherish deeply.

Mom passed away in January (2023) and I knew that the new music I had been composing for the past two years ~ an album named ‘Aquamarine’ ~ would be an homage to her and our shared love of the ocean. It’s so meaningful to pay tribute to her in this way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began playing the harp when I was five years old and won the Bronze Medal in the 1st USA International Harp Competition, among other classical honors. I’ve performed on four continents for heads of state (President Obama, Mexican President Felipé Calderon), in blockbuster movie soundtracks (Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian), alongside Billboard 100 artists (Lady Gaga, Beyoncé), on late night television (Saturday Night Live), and on the world’s most recognized stages.

My Mother was my first big influence, as she introduced me to the harp and was my source of endless support, while championing my young career. Another strong influence is Brian Eno, the pioneer of ambient music. His album ‘The Pearl’ with Harold Budd is on my go-to playlist and inspires me deeply.

When people ask me what I consider a successful, proud or significant point in my career so far, I always answer: performing center stage at Carnegie Hall as a Concerto soloist and playing with Beyoncé at the White House Second State Dinner for President and First Lady Obama. Those are both really proud moments in my career.

As composer, I write New Age/Ambient music and have released two original international award-winning albums: ‘Aquamarine’ (2023) and ‘Around The Sun’ (2020). Both albums won the Silver Medal in the Global Music Awards in their respective years, along with other high recognition. My latest album ‘Aquamarine’ has been described as “liquid sunshine”, “spacious and lush, deep and intense”, and “spirit caressing”. Want to listen to my music? It’s been streamed by millions of listeners worldwide who are seeking calmness and stress relief, and can be heard anywhere you listen to tunes!

Currently, I live in Brooklyn with my husband, Marc, and our fur baby dog, Argos.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It” by Chris Voss, who is a former international hostage negotiator for the FBI. I learned so many techniques and strategies that have helped me in both my professional and personal life. It taught me a form of communication that can open up casual conversations with colleagues, negotiate a better performance fee, or reduce the cost of a venue. Negotiation is something we do every single day, whether we realize it or not, no matter how big or small. This is definitely a book I will take off of my bookshelf to re-read!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One goal I have is to introduce the harp to new audiences and show its versatility to those who might perceive it as just a classical instrument. My work with pop, hip hop, and rock artists has given me a platform to surprise concertgoers with how easily the harp can integrate into different genres. I’m also focused on helping listeners heal or find peace with my original music. It makes me really happy when I hear that someone has found solace or discovered an unexpected emotion through the compositions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kirstencopelymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcopelymusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirstencopelymusic
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kcopelymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kirstenagrestacopely

Image Credits
Joseph Cartright Gil Gilbert